Attorney Found Guilty Of Contrband Into Jail and Perjury

Rickey Stokes

Viewed: 6403

Posted by: RStokes
Date: Sep 19 2018 10:40 PM

BAY COUNTY FLORIDA:      Bay County/Panhandle Attorney Greg Wilson has been found guilty by a jury in Bay County.

Wilson, a former Chief Deputy for the State’s Attorney Office for Bay County District Attorney’s Office, and just a coincidence was a candidate to be the areas top Prosecutor in the most recent election, was charged with felony passing notes between inmates and perjury for false statements to law enforcement. The notes were apparently “love letter” notes.

On or about October 24, 2017 Attorney Greg Wilson was arrested on charges of perjury and introduction of contraband into a detention facility. The arrest came after a months-long investigation by the Bay County Sheriff Department into possible breach of security in the Bay County Jail.

According to reports from Bay County Sheriff Department they reported that a phone call on a public jail line between Wilson and an unidentified inmate he represented initiated the investigation. Eventually Bay County Sheriff Department video recorded an interaction between Wilson and the inmate, in which he allegedly appears to accept a paper package and deliver it to another inmate.

Bay County Sheriff Deputies were quoted as saying their concern was Attorney Wilson just accepted it without looking at it. They alleged the letter could have contained contraband, drugs, escape plans, plans to hurt a guard.

Attorney are the only ones who have face-to-face contact with inmates. Bay County Sheriff Department responds that for that unfettered a Chess to be violated, it is certainly a security breach that is very concerning.

When questioned Wilson denied the passing of notes or knowledge. Video surveillance cameras showed otherwise.

Wilson served as Chief Deputy of the State Attorney’s Office for 7 of the 8 years State Attorney Hess has served. Wilson began his career as a law enforcement officer in Panama City Police Department in 1993, working 7 years as a patrol officer, a narcotics investigator and a SWAT tea member. He left the police department in his 30’s to get his law degree and became Chief Deputy of the State’s Attorney Office in Bay County.

In the election incumbent Hess won his third term with 56% of the votes. When defeated Wilson announced plans to run in 2020.

Now that Wilson has been convicted he is facing prison time, being disbarred as an attorney and rendered ineligible to seek election as State Attorney.

Prior to the trial Wilson asked for the key piece of evidence to be thrown out. That evidence was the video tape that showed Wilson passed the note.

There were pre-trial arguement from the prosecution as to why defense attorney’s should not be allowed to broach a variety of accusations - ranging from Wilson being targeted for political reasons to a claim he tried to recant his statement that led to his perjury charge.

The prosecutor filed a 10 page motion asking the court to take presumptive action to stop defense from pursuing several issues and theories that the state argues aren’t relevant to the case against Wilson.

The introduction of contraband into the Bay County Jail is a felony and the perjury charge is a misdemeanor.

The Judge in the case got mad when Wilson asked to call his former boss and political opponent, State Attorney Glenn Hess to testify in his trial. Wilson also wanted to take Hess deposition. 

Hess recused himself from the case. That should have made him fair game to testify, most especially since Wilson was a trusted soul for 7 years until he decided the challenge his boss for his job.

But the Circuit Judge, Michael Overstreet, blew a gasket when Wilson called Hess. Overstreet said he did not give his permission. Wilson made a great arguement that with Hess removing himself from the case that made him eligible to testify.

But in reality, the Judge has to protect his buddy, the incumbent State Attorney. 

After about 2 1/2 hours of deliberation the jury found Greg Wilson GUILTY of both charges., Sentencing is scheduled for November 5 at 3 PM.

Wilson is not allowed back into the Bay County Jail for any reason. Well, that is unless Judge Overstreet orders him into custody.

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